Chapter 3: Chapter 2
Soul Transfer Process Complete
"Huh?"
Suddenly hearing an unknown voice, I became warry of my surrounding. Taking a quick glance at the room, nothing seems to have change and a not a single person at sight either.
Strange... I'm pretty sure I heard a voice just now. Maybe the whole situation has taken a toll to my mental health.
Thinking that the voice I heard was probably just my imagination, I tried calming down.
Panicking in a time like this is not an ideal state that I want to be in. Maybe I should try and asses my situation back from beginning to now.
But before I can even start to process what happened to me, I again heard the same voice from before.
Soul Transfer Process Complete
Identification Process Now in Session
To Complete the Identification Process Please Enter User's Name
"The hell... Whoa!"
With my mind solely focus on the voice that I just heard, I was caught surprise when a projection like screen suddenly pops out in my view.
Please Enter Users Name, is what the text written in said screen along with a long blank line from below the text.
Seeing this, I again became dumbfounded. Many weird things just keep happening and happening that I'm starting to doubt if what I'm really experiencing is real.
"W-what is this?"
To Complete the Identification Process Please Enter User's Name.
It's the same voice again. Where the hell is it coming from.
Surveying the room for the 2nd time and finding not a single trance of a person. I finally realize that the voice I'm hearing is coming from my head.
God, and here I thought that this day can't get any weirder.
To Complete the Identification Proc-
"Arghhh Fine!!! Goddamnit, what the hell is seriously going on!"
Warry of something bad happening to me if I don't comply to what voice in my head is saying, I tried registering my name. Despite the whole situation being surreal, I was able to perform what the voice was saying somewhat easily. The whole process is very similar to what it's like signing up for some website or app using a phone. Touching the blank line, another screen consisting of letters of the alphabet and numbers pops out. Typing out my real name and entering it, I await what happens.
Identification Process Complete
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Hello Registered User 003: Lawrence Craft
Seeing that nothing bad happened when I registered my name, I was somewhat relieved.
-User has now access to Character Building Tool
"Huh?"
Before I can even understand what those words mean, another projection like screen pops out in my sight. Unlike the projection screen from before, the newly emerge one is bigger and has a lot of contents in it. Seeing that there seems to be other screens from behind the new one, I consciously tried swiping the screen to the left like what I usually do with touchscreen phone. To my surprise, what I did actually work and the previous screen was now replace with the one from behind. Swiping it further also shows the other screens and doing it more just loops back from the first one. The process also works when swiping right.
What the hell is this now
Analyzing the content of said screens, I was very surprise to what I was reading.
Base
Name: Lawrence Craft
Level: 0
Status: Strength: 5 +
Dexterity: 5 +
Agility: 5 +
Constitution: 5 +
Perception: 5 +
Intelligence: 5 +
Will: 5 +
Available Points: 5
Exp: 0/50
Skills
Combat
Guns: 0 +
Bows: 0 +
Melee: 0 +
Throwing: 0 +
Defence
Dodge: 0 +
Evasion: 0 +
Subterfuge
Stealth: 0 +
Hacking: 0 +
Lockpicking: 0 +
Pickpocketing: 0 +
Traps: 0 +
Science
Mechanics: 0 +
Electronics: 0 +
Chemistry: 0 +
Biology: 0 +
Tailoring: 0 +
Social
Persuasion: 0 +
Intimidation: 0 +
Mercantile: 0 +
Available Points: 140
Feats
-No Feat Currently Available
Available Points: 2
Quest Log
-No Quest Currently Available
Abilities
-None
These things... they're just like a game character building screen. It even has the same structure as any rpg games I played, with a player level, Exp bar, and the status being symbolize by the generic Strength, Dexterity and Intelligence.
Seeing the current development of my status, my mind became more boggled. Adding this to the mix, doesn't clear up things at all. If anything, it just adds more to the confusion.
I can't really do anything if I just stand here. So for now, checking this thing might be a good idea.
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Checking the thing for a couple of minutes, I was able to discover a few things. For one, pressing the + icon on the screen increases the number of the selected attribute or skill displayed on said screen. Increasing an attribute or skill decreases the available points. You can undo the process of increasing said number by pressing the - icon which appears near the + icon when you try to increase an attribute or skill, this in turn brings back the available points spent on increasing said attributes or skills. It seems that in order to apply said increase, you need to press a conformation key which only appears if you have spent all available points on increasing an attribute or skill. Both Base and Skills have different conformation keys, meaning that you can apply an increase on one thing but are able to left another untouched. While checking on the Feats, Quest Log, and Abilities Screens I wasn't able to find anything special, so I just leave those things for now. And the final thing to note, swiping down the screens with my hand I was able to hide the whole thing from my view. In order for said projection screens to come back you only need to swipe your hands upward. Also doing said process doesn't affect what's written in the screen by any means, it just hides the projection like screens from view.
With that in mind, what the fuck do I do with this? Basing on my knowledge of games from the past, increasing the status and skills in the screen would probably make me stronger in some sense. But with that said... basing on my knowledge of games again, putting all of your points on random things is generally a bad idea. One needs to think of what build they are making when pointing their points in order to have a character that better suits them and their play style in a long term.
Thinking more on what to do about this projection like screen, I decided to leave it for now. With not enough information about the current state of things, messing with it might result in unwanted complications.
"Oh my? It's seems that you're already home big brother"
Hearing another unknown voice, I again quickly took a glance of the room to find where said voice came from. To my surprise, what I manage to find was a little girl standing from the doorway. Looking at her more, she just looks like your normal average kid. With a short brown hair and a fairly decent face, there's really nothing much of noteworthy to say about her looks. Her clothing consisted of a jacket, skirt and brown shoes, from the appearance of it; it somewhat looks old and cheap.
"I'm home, big bro"
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"What's wrong big bro? You seem awfully tired"
Facing another predicament, I again find myself in a difficult situation. I don't know who this kid is but judging from what she said and the knowledge I learned from earlier, I assume she's Bruce's sister. Claire was her name, I remember correctly.
"Big.. Bro?"
Seeing that Claire seems to be getting worried from what I'm acting, I decided to wing it for now to avoid further problems.
"Umm.. Sorry, it's just that big bro has been having headaches lately. Sorry for not noticing you earlier"
Saying those words, I can't help but get embarrassed. Acting isn't really my greatest expertise, so I hoped that what I just said didn't blow my cover.
"Oh my! It seems that your face is turning red big bro. Don't tell me you're actually sick?"
"Huh? A-ahh.. no, actually t-this is.. I-I'm perfectly fine. No need to worry"
Ahhhh you fucking retard. What are you getting embarrassed for, you're blowing your cover.
"Not good at all, you're being stubborn again. Just because you're older one, that doesn't mean you have to destroy your body just to take care of me. Y-you made a promise remember, you said you won't leave me like mom did"
Hearing this conversation, I can see that Claire is getting sad. Her words just now felt very sincere and heartfelt. I assume she probably had a tough life.
-Sigh
Feeling bad, I move closer to her and gently pat her head.
"Wipe that tears off your face willya, crying here will just make that cute face of yours look ugly"
"Hmmmmmm..."
"Hahahaha, Sorry... Big bro still plans on keeping his promise thou, so don't worry about it"
"B-but-"
"No buts, just believe in your big brother. Do you seriously think that big bro here will just die by some sickness or overwork?"
Despite being total strangers in my perspective, I can't help but feel some sort of affection to this kid. Reading from Bruce's logs, she clearly lived a hard life and knowing the current state of his brother or should I say former brother. I kind of feel bad about it.
-Sniff-sniff
"N-no, big bro is the strongest person in the world. He can take anything he faces"
Hearing those words, I can't help but form a smile to my face. Despite knowing those words weren't directed at me, just having the feeling of being important to someone just feels comfortable.
"That's good then... but with that said, I think you have mistaken about something Claire"
"H-huh? And what's that?"
"I'm actually not sick, I'm pretty much perfectly fine and healthy"
"Boo, big bro is lying again"
"N-no, I'm telling the honest truth. Why would I lie to you?"
"Earlier you look weird and your face turned red. That could only mean you're sick or having a fever"
"Ahhhh... understandable that you've come to that conclusion, but you're still wrong"
"HUH!! Then explain why you look weird earlier then?"
Shit, how the hell do I reasonably explain to this kid what I did.
Thinking more of what to say to Claire, I was reminded of the agent job which Bruce applied to. Seeing that it was the perfect topic to explain my behavior, I quickly thought of things to fit the job narrative.
"Um... Claire do you remember about the job that I applied to?"
"... Sorry big bro but what job are you talking about?"
Huh?
"Did I not tell you about the job that I applied to?"
"This is the first time I'm hearing of it"
Seriously, Bruce never told his sister the job he applied to. ...Wait a minute. Considering the job Bruce applied to have a combat test, it means that it's not a normal job by any means. Plus knowing that Bruce made a promise to never leave Claire, having a dangerous job that can potentially break said promise would only anger her. Meaning if he wants to fix their financial problem and avoid angering his little sister, he needs to keep the job that he applied to as a secret. Shit, Shit, Shit!!! How can I be so dumb.
"By the way Big bro, from your words just now... Are you saying that you finally found a job?"
"A-ahhhh... y-yes"
Hearing those words, extreme shock can be seen in Claire's face
"AaahhhhAaahhhAahhhhh!!!!! I can't believe it, Big Bro finally has a job"
"Calm down Claire, it's just a job. That is not something worth this being exited for"
"But big bro you finally have a job. That means you don't have to worry about money problems anymore"
"M-money Problems"
"Well big bro, you might not have noticed it. But for the past few days ever since we got here, you've been looking kind of down. When we left East Terracore, you've also left your scavenging job. So, I assumed that the reason why you look sad was due to money problems"
Hmm... Despite being a kid, she sure has a knack on analyzation. I'm quite impressed
"Thinking more about it, I think I finally understand why big bro was acting weird earlier. Hehehe you probably tried keeping the job that you just got as a secret to surprise me ain't it, big bro"
That wasn't really what happened. But her story is somewhat convenient so let's stick to it, for now.
"Haha you've found me, I was indeed trying to hide it as a surprise. That was very smart of you figuring it out"
"Hoho.. Well teacher Katherine does say that I'm smart"
How bold
"Well we can't just leave the important detail in the air. Well big bro what job is it?"
Hearing those words, small sweats slowly formed around my face. Telling her the truth now, might result in some unwanted reaction. Plus, having said job might prove to be useful. As of now, I don't have much going for me other than the weird projection screens from earlier. I'm gonna need information if I want to figure out my situation. So for now, lying to her is the best option I have.
"Well... the job that I currently have is a... a.. a travel agent job"
"Travel agent... That sounds so cool. What's it about?"
Seeing the look of anticipation written in her face, I can't help but feel bad lying to her. Kids tend to have very high expectations of things, so knowing the thing that I'm about to bullshit into her ears. I highly expect for her to be disappointed.
"As a travel agent my job is to... travel places and delivering things... like documents and stuff"
Fucking kill me
"Ehhhh..."
As expected, she looks disappointed
"So your job is basically being a delivery boy"
"... Well you're not wrong"
"..."
"Stop giving me that disappointed look will ya, I know my job isn't the coolest thing in the world"
With her expectations subverted, Claire can't help but sigh
"Well.. It's better than risking your life fighting monsters and bandits I guess"
"True-true, fighting monst- Wait what"
"Outside can be a very dangerous place, I'm glad big bro choose a safer job. With that said, finally finding a job. This is a cause for celebration, big bro I want mushboar steak"
Wait, wait, wait.. Did she just say monsters? The hell is going on this world.
"Come on big bro lets go to the cafeteria!"
Before I can even comprehend what Claire has just said, I was quickly dragged by her out of the room. Seeing how excited she is to his cafeteria trip, I decided to learn more about the monster's thing in later time.
"Mushboar steak! Mushboar steak!"
The little moment that I've spend in this place I've already learned many strange things. Knowing how very little information I have about this world. I feel like I'm very insignificant to the larger scope of things. Feeling this unfamiliarity and weakness, I can't help but detest it.
"Um.. Big bro?"
"Ah! Sorry I was in deep thought"
"No, no, no it's okay. It's just that... I-I wanted to thank you"
"Huh?"
"Ever since mom died you've taking care of me non-stop. Despite all your hard work, I was never able to show how much I really appreciate all efforts. I'm weak, not good at cooking and I wasn't even able to help in your scavenging in the past"
"..."
"B-but this time... I promise that things will change"
"..."
"Teacher Katherine said that people who are educated and graduate in school get better opportunities in life. Big bro.. I promise to you that I will work hard on school and graduate. After I graduate, I will get a decent earning job and with that you can finally relax and enjoy life. You don't have to work anymore after I graduate, and we can finally live like a normal family!"
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Hearing Claire's words, I again gently pat her in the head
"That's some big dream you have there, little sis. But I think that you shouldn't be worrying about those things yet. You're still growing after all"
Hearing what I said, Claire's tiny face got all red. I think my words made her flustered in some way
"S-screw you b-big bro, I-I was being serious about it"
"Hahahaha, sorry-sorry... Hearing how sincere you are about your goal, just made me realize some things"
"..."
"Claire... I think your dream was nice. And I can't wait to see it happened in the future"
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"..."
"Is something the matter Claire, your face seems awfully red"
"I-it's.. n-n-nothing. It's just that the place is hot, t-that's all"
"Oh really? I didn't even notice"
"J-just ignore what I just said"
"O-okay..."
"But still... making fun of me when I was being all serious wasn't very nice, big bro"
"I apologize"
"Apology not accepted, as punishment you have to buy me 2 mushboar steaks instead"
"It seems that your never really going to accept my apology. So fine, I'll buy you two steaks"
Hearing me accept her request a big smile quickly formed on Claire's face
''Hehehe. I guess I have no choice but to accept your apology now, big bro"
"Sure..."
-End of Chapter 2
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